SA vs IND: Cheteshwar Pujara shares an update on Virat Kohli’s fitness

Team India Test skipper Virat Kohli missed the second Test against South Africa after he sustained a back spasm prior to the game at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. It was a massive development since the now 33-year-old Kohli was India’s leading run-scorer during the tour of South Africa back in 2018.

KL Rahul, in the meantime, stood in for Virat in the second game of the ongoing red-ball series. Right-handed batter Hanuma Vihari replaced the Delhi-born Kohli in the playing eleven for the crucial encounter. Indian middle-order batter, Cheteshwar Pujara, in the meantime, shared an update on Kohli’s fitness.

“Officially, I can’t say much but yes, he is definitely getting better and I feel that he will be fit soon. The physio can answer this better and I am sure an update will come from the BCCI very soon,” Pujara was quoted as saying to the reporters on Wednesday, January 5.

Virat Kohli under BCCI medical staff’s observation

Prior to the game that started on January 3, the Board of Control for Cricket inn India released a statement, updating on Kohli’s availability for the second Test. Going by their statement, Kohli was under the observation of BCCI’s medical staff.

“Team India captain Mr Virat Kohli had a spasm on his upper back this morning. He won’t feature in the second Test against South Africa at The Wanderers. The BCCI medical team will be monitoring him during the course of this Test match.

“KL Rahul will captain the side in his absence. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Jasprit Bumrah as vice-captain for the 2nd Test,” the BCCI had said in its statement.

Rahul, during the toss, also talked about Kohli’s absence from the game, but also said that he’s likely to recover for the final game of the three-match series.

“Unfortunately, Virat has had an upper back spasm, the physios are working on him and hopefully he’ll recover for the next Test,” Rahul had said.

The third Test is set to get underway on Tuesday, January 11 at Newlands in Cape Town. India are currently leading the series 1-0 after the 113-run win in the opening match at SuperSport Park in Centurion.